Brad Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 We took suggestions given by you all from various threads over the years and put together a list of suggestions for stores to use on Black Friday. Take a look: http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/BlackFriday101 and let us know if we've forgotten anything. Hopefully a few of the decision-makers frequent our BF site and happen to come across the list. We might also put it out as a press release to get it a little more exposure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjimslade Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 This is GREAT Brad! I think you should do a full blown press release on this one. Brad for President! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikol0304 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Love it. Let's just hope someone listens out there. I know my WM last year was way more chaotic than it's ever been. The ticket system helped, and they did provide maps of locations for items and their lines. But it went downhill when they changed the lines to be different than what was printed on the map. Nor were they labeled with anything more than an 8x11 peice of paper and a marker. And the checkout lines....were HORRENDOUS. I had all of my doorbusters by 5:05 and didn't get outta there until 7am. And they were wrapped around the building with people intercepting at different isles. So I would say the top 3 things on that list would be a ticket system, maps of locations (and sticking to them!), and some serious line order/more checkouts open. Everything else would be a bonus for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetdiggity Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Wow, I agree on the full press release. That is an awesome list, Brad! Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjimslade Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Let me pose this question......What stores do you think needs to adopt the 101? I only shop at BB but I think BB has done 90% of the 101 for years. WM has started to do this but only after a death and federal regulators threaten to take legal action. Lets start a dialog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetdiggity Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Kmart and Walmart. Walmart, at least in my area hasn't been horrible, but they could improve a little. (as far as checkouts, price matching and stuff goes, they're pretty good) Kmart, on the other hand, is a mess. I went two years ago and none of the employees knew where anything was and they were VERY rude. They never have enough checkouts open either, year round, and especially on BF. lol I got like 4 things and it took forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuggaD Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Great list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honey_bee_1979 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Amen, Amen & Amen !!! I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honey_bee_1979 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Oh I wanted to say a 5 items or less line in walmart/kmart and other retailers is a great idea! I think half the lines should be dedicated to that because alot of people just want a few items!!! It really would help the crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starbeck96 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Great ideas Brad. Our Walmart is not too bad and by the time we get to the other stores we go to which is an hour and half away from us, the biggest part of the crowd is gone (other than TRU). I do wish our Walmart would use the carts to block those that want to come in from the side of the line and I wish that they would give tickets to those in line. I did like Walmart opening at midnight last year though. That really helped. They could also spread the toys out a little bit. The toy doorbusters were all down one isle in Walmart last year and it was nearly impossible to move around. They have remodeled this year though, so I am anxious to see how that goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffkin79 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Are there stores where you are not allowed to bring shopping bags in with you? Have people been pulled aside and questioned for putting merchandise in them? I can see where putting merchandise in a purse or pocket would earn you attention from security, but using an open-toped shopping bag for carring things seems resonable enough to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcwalker Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 (edited) Great idea Brad. I agree with the press release. I know there has been some debate on this, but I think it would be appropriate for stores that hand out vouchers to ask that people to write their name on the voucher in front of the person handing them out and only that person (with ID) can use the voucher, to prevent "voucher scalping." I also remember an issue where the people handing out some vouchers were not careful to identify the voucher they are passing out and ask each person in line if they want one. I recall a situation where someone was talking to one person passing out vouchers and another person with a voucher they wanted passed them by. Stated generally, "make a plan for everything and do everything in a systematic and orderly manner." (The customers will be disorderly enough.) Edited September 29, 2010 by mcwalker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkrbel Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 I believe the majority of the stores locally DO NOT use most of the stuff listed. Admittedly I've skipped going to BB early the last few years so maybe they've upped the ante since then. As a female who does BF with my mother security is a worry. I'm not overly vigilant but when you're 20 people back or so and trouble starts brewing at the front of the line because ppl are just showing up and trying to get into the front its disturbing. I'm not averse to having to give someone a good thumping but prefer not to and honestly having just woken up and gotten to store ASAP I'm not TOTALLY awake yet.I love the mention of the snowglobes, that is practically a family tradition and JC Penney usually throws in at least 1 thing that makes our trip worthwhile too. I think everything listed would definitely make shopping on BF a more pleasant experience. Name&Shame: I had less than pleasing experiences last year at Target-attempted line jumping, Walmart-total disorganization and ridiculously long lines(at noon), Kmart-nobody had a clue where BF items were(or for that matter the fact that some hadn't shown up at all) and Office Max-employee refused to sell me an item because ad item# did not match the ticket item# even though the ticket clearly showed sale price. I took it in stride as had done most shopping online but a little knowledge/planning goes a long way for shoppers and its something retailers should take to heart and practice as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 This is GREAT Brad! I think you should do a full blown press release on this one. Brad for President!I agree with the full blown press release... ... and of course Brad for President... that goes without saying. What are the chances of actually getting news outlets to pick this up? I think it could actually make a pretty interesting national piece... especially as we approch Nov. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santaclaus Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 What a wonderful list. I want to especially thank you for this idea: Consider having a set of afternoon "doorbusters" to get shoppers who might have missed your store in the morning back later in the day. I work in a hospital on 3rd shift and don't get off till 7:30. By the time I can get anywhere, the really good doorbusters are long gone. It sure would be nice to be able to get even one good doorbuster. I would say a store doing this type thing would win over some brand new customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lusha120 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 pure genius! I think all stores (large electronic retailers) should adopt Old Navy Strategy for the very small quantity doorbusters ie. the 200$ laptops..... WRISTBANDS! it would take more time but worth it for the consumer in the end. (I actually had someone try to grab my ticket out of my hand one year at BB. security was a joke. thank god for the big guy in front of me that I had been chatting wtih for the last 13 hours)!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfordmom Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Attn: Menards - Please Read This! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momlori Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Great list! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happysunshine28 Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Wow, great list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mausibaer Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 We took suggestions given by you all from various threads over the years and put together a list of suggestions for stores to use on Black Friday. Take a look: http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/BlackFriday101 and let us know if we've forgotten anything. Hopefully a few of the decision-makers frequent our BF site and happen to come across the list. We might also put it out as a press release to get it a little more exposure.How about providing wi-fi access? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted September 30, 2010 Author Share Posted September 30, 2010 OK, will have a press release going out on Monday morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjimslade Posted September 30, 2010 Share Posted September 30, 2010 wi-fi is a luxury and not really needed in my opinion to get the deals at the store. How about providing wi-fi access? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverstreak24 Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Brad, you did an amazing job on this! If every store did HALF of the things on the list the whole BF experience could be even more awesome than it is now! :0) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaymacfla Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 wi-fi is a luxury and not really needed in my opinion to get the deals at the store. I might have agreed with you a couple of years ago, but in light of the stories that have come out about promises of connectivity, I believe it is high time that Big Box retailers provide WI-FI during the holidays. They are missing out on under-served customers who could be comparison shopping outside as we were fortunate enough to do the last two years running. Purchases were made due to this connectivity model.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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